clarinews@clarinet.com (01/17/90)
ST. LOUIS (UPI) -- Doug Gilmour snapped a tie with a goal, then added two assists and Calgary scored three goals in a span of 2:38 early in the second period, pacing the Flames to a 5-2 victory Tuesday over the St. Louis Blues. Gilmour, a former Blue, started the assault at 1:12 of the second period when he scored on his second swipe at a loose puck in the slot. Blues goalie Vincent Riendeau turned aside the initial shot by Gary Roberts from the left circle and then blanked Gilmour once, but he couldn't control the third rebound. It was the 14th goal of the season for Gilmour, who has scored 72 for Calgary last year after being traded. The goal came just 24 seconds after the Blues failed on a power-play opportunity. Tied 1-1 after the first period, Calgary exploded for the trio of goals and led 4-1 at 4:50 of the second. Brian MacLellan picked up where Gilmour left off and gave Calgary a 3-1 lead at 3:04 of the second, scoring when his shot from the side of the net deflected in off Riendeau's skate. Sergei Makarov capped the quick scoring spurt at 4:50. He tipped in a pass to the left post by Roberts. The Flames tied the score 1-1 at 14:22 of the first period with a power-play goal from defenseman Gary Suter, who freed himself at the blue line and whistled a slap shot beneath Riendeau's pads. The Flames are ranked first in the NHL on the power play and made 2-of-3 power-play chances. St. Louis, sixth in the NHL with a man-advantage, failed to convert on four power-play opportunities. The Blues have missed on eight power plays against Calgary in two games this season. Peter Zezel opened the scoring at 11:13 of the first period, slapping a centering pass behind Calgary goalie Mike Vernon. Sergio Momesso set up the play by winning the puck behind the net and and flipping it in front as he was checked in the crease. St. Louis cut the deficit to 4-2 at 5:17 of the second period when Steve Tuttle was set up beautifully in front by Rod Brind'Amour. The rookie Brind'Amour carried in across the blue line and ripped a pass to Tuttle, who was unmarked at the side of the net. Brian MacLellan scored on a breakaway at 18:34 in the third period to make it 5-2.